Colorado Springs Shooting: Garrett Swasey Was Anti-Abortion, But Valued Life At Planned Parenthood
The Colorado Springs shooting has caused turmoil on social media, since some pro-life supporters have supported the actions of shooter Robert Lewis Dear, who targeted the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic over his beliefs related to abortion. Many official pro-life groups have distanced themselves from Dear, but the actions of police officer Garrett Swasey stand out because he died trying to save Planned Parenthood employees, despite also sharing Dear’s anti-abortion beliefs.
In a related report by the Inquisitr, shortly after the Colorado Springs shooting was over, Robert Lewis Dear was quoted as saying, “No more baby parts.” The Westboro Baptist Church is planning on protesting at the Planned Parenthood shooting victim’s funerals.
This past Friday, the Colorado Springs shooting suspect entered the Planned Parenthood clinic with a gun. After his killing spree was stopped, two civilians were killed and nine people were injured, including five police officers.
“The Center for Medical Progress does not support vigilante violence against abortion providers,” he said, according to Life News. “There are people at Planned Parenthood who I still consider friends and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time for no one to be injured.”
Garrett Swasey was the only cop killed by the shooter, and now we are just starting to learn about his personal beliefs. Swasey is described as the co-pastor of Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs while also working full time as a police officer.
“Here’s a guy who worked full time as a police officer, and then gave a great amount of time to his local church and didn’t get a dime for it,” said Scott Dontanville, a co-pastor at the church. “He did it because it was the thing that he felt he needed to do.”
Dontanville says the officer would “disagree with the abortion industry,” but that did not stop the man from trying to save the lives of those at Planned Parenthood.
“I don’t think that was on his mind,” Dontanville said, according to CrossMap. “He was there to save lives. That’s the kind of guy he is.”
“While the nation now knows Garrett as a hero who gave his life for others, he was also a devoted husband of 17 years and a wonderful father to his two children,” wrote Rachel in the statement. “Helping others brought him deep satisfaction and being a police officer was a part of him. In the end, his last act was for the safety and wellbeing of others and was a tribute to his life.”
A fundraiser on YouCaring is trying to raise money for the family. Although the Colorado Springs police department will pay for the cost of the funeral, the fundraiser intends to help pay for other costs, including an education fund for the two children left behind. The website says that “all funds will go directly to Officer Swasey’s widow, Rachel Swasey, [administered] by her sister, Christine Aguilar.”
“Because of each and every one of you, Garrett’s memory has been honored, and his family is loved, as a result of your actions. Thank you for your generosity. It is so appreciated and will never be forgotten,” said the website.
The fundraiser has already raised over $73,000 as of this publishing, although their goal is to raise $100,000 in total in memory of the Colorado Springs shooting victim.
[Image via YouCaring]
